Introduction to Population Ecology

• What is the largest level of ecosystem complexity?

  Biosphere
• What does the biosphere encompass?

  All life and parts of Earth supporting life
• What is an ecosystem?

  System formed by organisms and environments
• What is a community in ecological terms?

  Group of organisms living together and interacting
• What defines a population?

  Group of individuals of the same species
• What is the lowest level of ecosystem complexity?

  Individual organism
• What does population size (N) refer to?

  Total number of individuals
• What factors can affect population size?

  Deaths, immigration, emigration, births
• What is carrying capacity (K)?

  Maximum population size an environment can support
• What are density-dependent factors?

  Factors that affect population based on density
• What are density-independent factors?

  Population changes not related to density
• What are intrinsic factors in population ecology?

  Factors like size, density, and distribution
• What does age structure refer to in a population?

  Distribution of individuals of specific ages
• What is the formula to calculate change in population size?

  ∆N = (B-D) + (I-E)
• If there are 2 births, 1 death, 2 immigrations, and 2 emigrations, what is the change in population size?


  1
• What does the intrinsic growth rate (r) represent?

  Change divided by N0
• What is the significance of carrying capacity (K) in population dynamics?

  It limits the number of individuals in a habitat
• What is the difference between exponential and logistic growth?

  Exponential growth has no limits, logistic does
• What is semelparity in reproductive strategies?

  Reproduce once and die off
• What is iteroparity in reproductive strategies?

  Repeated reproduction and produce offspring repeatedly
• What are r-selected species characterized by?

  High fecundity and early maturity
• What are K-selected species characterized by?

  Long life expectancy and low reproductive potential

  
• What are the three types of survivorship curves?

  Type I, Type II, Type III

  
• What do density-dependent factors do to population growth?

  Regulate population growth through negative feedback
• What can cause cyclical population oscillations?

  Interactions between different species populations
• What is the relationship between lemmings and their predators?

  Predator populations grow after lemming population increases
• What factors influence the snowshoe hare population cycle?

  Winter food supply and predation
• What is the significance of life tables in population monitoring?

  They help predict population change
• What is the role of natural selection in population dynamics?

  It favors traits that promote survival
• What are life history traits?

  Traits that affect reproduction and survival
• What is the impact of resource availability on population growth?

  It influences rates of births and deaths
• What is the formula for exponential population growth?

  Nt=N0ert
• What does the intrinsic rate of increase (rmax) represent?

  Maximum growth rate under ideal conditions
• What is the relationship between carrying capacity and resource abundance?

  Carrying capacity varies with resource availability
• What is the significance of monitoring endangered populations?

  It helps track numbers for conservation efforts
• What is the effect of crowding on population dynamics?

  It intensifies competition for resources
• What can happen to populations during cyclical oscillations?

  They can experience rises and drops in size
• What is the role of chance events in population dynamics?

  They can cause changes unrelated to density
• How do abiotic factors influence populations?

  They affect the physical environment of organisms
• What are biotic factors in population ecology?

  Interactions with other living organisms